Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the formation of a valid contract?

A valid contract typically requires several essential elements to ensure its enforceability. Among these, mutual consent, consideration from both parties, and legality of purpose are foundational requirements recognized in contract law.

Mutual consent refers to the agreement between parties to the terms of the contract, often expressed through an offer and acceptance. Consideration involves something of value being exchanged between the parties, which can be a service, money, or an agreement not to act. Legality of purpose means that the contract's objective must be legal and not against public policy.

Negotiated terms, while often present in many contracts, are not a strict requirement for a contract to be valid. It is possible for contracts to be formed with standard terms that are not individually negotiated, such as in the case of certain consumer agreements. Therefore, the absence of negotiated terms does not render a contract invalid, which is why it is identified as NOT a requirement for contract formation. This distinction highlights that the core elements of mutual consent, consideration, and legality are essential for a contract's validity.